Interactions between Medications, Herbal supplements and common foods

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With an increasing number of patients combining herbal treatments with prescribed medications, reliable information on herb/supplement and pharmaceutical interactions is much needed. This portable reference is organized alphabetically by drug name and features an entry for each drug-herb/drug-supplement combination that has a proven interaction. Each entry is rated on a scale of 1 to 4 to show the severity of the interaction and includes information on related drugs, an interaction summary, a discussion of the interaction, management suggestions, and references. In addition to the core material, there are also several helpful appendices on interactions by herb or supplement, nutrient depletions, and drug-herb add-on depressant interactions.

Evidence-based content includes the most up-to-date, current research on herb/supplement and pharmaceutical interactions.

Assists clinicians in quickly recognizing and avoiding potential adverse reactions and interactions that can occur between more than 150 of the most common herbal remedies and prescription/over-the-counter medications. This quick-reference is organized alphabetically and includes drug interactions, side effects, and highlighted cautionary notes for each entry.

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Know the Side Effects and Protect Your Health

If you’re among the millions of people taking prescription and over-the-counter drugs, as well as vitamins and natural medicines, you need to know which combinations are potentially helpful and which can be extremely dangerous. The A–Z Guide to Drug-Herb-Vitamin Interactions is an essential resource to understanding the interactions that may affect your health.

From the experts at Healthnotes, this revised and updated edition contains the newest information on thousands of drugs and supplements, based on studies published in the leading medical journals. Reliable and easy to use, this book is sure to become a trusted reference in your home.

MORE THAN 18,000 DRUG-HERB-VITAMIN INTERACTIONS

Find out about:

• Drugs that can deplete your body’s nutrients

• Supplements that can interfere with drug absorption

• Side effects of common drug-herb-vitamin combinations

• Supplements that can help your prescriptions work better

• Combinations that should never be taken together

• With a foreword by Dr. Bob Arnot

Unknown to most people is the fact that everyday foods and Herbal supplements can and do interact with popular prescription medications. I became interested while talking to my Pharmacist that my son couldn’t take decongestant cold medications with his heart medication. Well, I knew about interactions between two drugs, but when the Pharmacist told me he couldn’t have grapefruit juice, I was stunned. Seems that grapefruit juice increases the blood concentrations of the drug. Basically that means that it greatly enhances the effects of the drug which could result in an overdose of the medication. This is everyday grapefruit juice! It got me wondering about other everyday foods and Herbs we take. Below are a few foods and Herbs that have an effect on your medications.

This list is a basic guide, and is by no means the meant to replace your Doctor or Pharmacist. Consult with them about any prescriptions you are taking and the foods and Herbs that will interact with them. Although I have taken this information from a handout from a local Hospital, Use this information at your own risk. Again, I am not a Doctor or Pharmacist, and I have had NO medical training, so please consult with yours for more information.

People usually ask if Herbal supplements change the way their prescription drugs work. The answer is YES! Some medications should never be taken with Herbal supplements. Some can cause unwanted side effects or cause the medication to stop working to their full effect.

Another misconception about supplements is that they are completely safe because they are natural. Yes, they may be from plants, but they are not natural to your body. Herbal supplements are not tested or inspected like prescription drugs are tested, so the supplements vary in quality and strength from pill to pill and bottle to bottle.

Just like supplements, foods can change the way your body responds to medications. One example is grapefruits and grapefruit juice. Many people aren’t aware that grapefruit juice can increase the drug levels of certain medications. An increase in the levels will also increase the side effects of the drug.

Things to Remember

1. Herbal supplements and foods can change the way your medications work.

2. Tell your caregiver what Herbal supplements you take and what foods you eat often.

3. Ask your Doctor or Pharmacist what Herbal supplements or foods will interact with your medications.

4. Always talk with your Doctor or Pharmacist FIRST before taking any Herbal supplements.

DISCLAIMER: The following charts are not all inclusive and do not contain every interaction of drugs with foods and herbs. It serves as a guide only. Consult with your Doctor, Pharmacist or a registered diatician if you have any questions.

5 Responses to Interactions between Medications, Herbal supplements and common foods

What a lot of people don’t realize is that herbal supplements are drugs themselves. They were used as drugs before pharmaceutical drugs became common. It is natural but a lot of our drugs are based on herbal supplements.

So glad you posted this article. Many people think just just because its a natural herbal supplement, that it’s safe for them. People need to do more research – especially if they are taking ANY kind of prescription meds. Thanks again,

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